Meet LaNette Orebaugh | Owner/Pastry Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with LaNette Orebaugh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LaNette, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have always had a passion for food and the way it brings people together. I worked my way through the corporate world gaining the knowledge and experience I knew would one day help me start my own business, offering scratch made meals at an affordable price. I started with a cottage business that gained me my reputation to move into a brick and mortar. The bonus of starting Mill Haus was that I was asked to join forces with Glenn A Jones M.D. memorial Library in a shared space bringing the best of all worlds together…a full service library and a coffee shop offering not only handcrafted drinks but also breakfast and lunch to the Milliken Community.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was 17 when I started decorating cakes after taking a Wilton class. The creative side in me fell in love with the way I could turn an everyday dessert into a work of art. I have worked my way up from decorating cakes at grocery stores to be coming the pastry chef at The Brown Palace Hotel in Denver. Throughout my career in the corporate world I learned that you never stop learning.. What started as a small town coffee shop, has grown into Millikens Gathering place for breakfast or lunch. I have catered weddings, made baby shower cakes and then annual birthday cakes for families I am blessed to watch grow through each of these life phases.
Opening Mill Haus has been challenging. I knew how to make amazing food, how to properly cost my menu, how to manage expenses…I had trained for years in those areas. Finding and retaining the right employees, navigating social media and marketing…those are the real struggles. I had no idea what I was up against. I have taken many classes with the Colorado SBDC and continue to do so to learn and grow with my business.
I did know when I was opening Mill Haus that I wanted to support and promote small businesses. Along with the help of my good friend Stephanie Baudhuin we have started a non profit makers market, Milliken Market Day, which showcases local handmade, homegrown small businesses, live music and themed activities once a month from May-Oct As a small business I truly believe in promoting and supporting other small businesses. I also showcase several local businesses in Mill Haus for my guest to shop from daily.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a huge Avalanche and Eagles fan so a game night is a must after dinner at Windsor Mill Tavern. Lunch at my favorite Italian spot in Greeley, Santeramos followed by axe throwing at Greeley Hatchet house and then a beer slush at Wiley Roots ….or two 😉 because they are that good!
Mountains are my zen so Hiking at horsetooth, taking a drive to Nederland or Masonville for shopping and history. Hanging out by the river, and a concert at red rocks are all musts.
Visiting local farmers markets and shopping local small businesses!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am surrounded by a tribe of successful women entrepreneurs who inspire me and support me daily. Stephanie Baudhuin owner of Crummies and Rachael Hagar owner of Radiant Skin Studio have been sounding boards, rocks and inspiration in the day to day ups and downs of owning a small business. Each of us with our own path and yet so similar we know the struggles of owning a small business and I cherish their support and am in awe of their successes. My biggest shout-out must go to my husband Aaron Orebaugh, who is also a classically trained chef, whom has been my biggest supporter and tells me daily how proud he is of me and my success.

Website: millhauscoffee.com

Instagram: @millhaus2021

Facebook: @millhaus2021

Image Credits
Kayla Kraus photography LLC (headshot only)